There are currently more empty beds than a typical winters day because they have been moving people, cancelling non essential operations and converting other areas of hospitals in preparation. And because it's not winter any more and we are thankfully past the peak of lots of seasonal illnesses, plus it's been a relatively mild winter.

You can argue with the media and 'overhyping' all you like, but you can't argue with the actual figures from various countries around the world, and they all very closely follow the same path. The way the virus spreads is now fairly well documented and quite easy to predict.

The more the public are made aware of the potential casualties the more likely they are to understand why quarantining and social distancing are so important, and one of the reasons why the government waited perhaps a little longer than they should have, because the public expect to see instant results or they all cry bullcrap and start ignoring it.

Social distancing can and does work, the main problem is it takes several days, sometimes even a week to start showing symptoms and can be even longer before those symptoms become serious or life threatening.

Assuming social distancing was 100% effective, you have the most people out in the wild infected the very moment before you separate everyone. That is why it's important that it lasts for at least 2-3 weeks for the virus to run its course on all those that had it at that time, as you can expect hospital demand to peak somewhere around that point.

As for how are some 70+ year olds fine?

Pot luck. No one has ever said everyone over 70 who gets it will die. They have said those over 70 are most likely to suffer the worst and therefore have a higher death rate. I can't remember the figures exactly, but it's suggested the overall death rate for the entire population is around 0.4%. For those over 70 it could be more like 5%, for 10-20 year olds it might only be 0.1%

Those people on their hospital beds might look fine, but their body is fighting against a virus which has infected the cells lining their lungs making their immune system fight against their own body. There is no cure, there is no medication, all hospitals can do is pump in oxygen through a ventilator and hope the body manages to pull through without going into septic shock.

Well, I’ve actually made it to my 50th. Although, never thought my supply of Stella would be rationed and the pubs would be shut. Main thing is I’m still here and breathing despite being in a high risk group ( double transplant ). Stay safe and heathy fellow cutters

Well, I’ve actually made it to my 50th. Although, never thought my supply of Stella would be rationed and the pubs would be shut. Main thing is I’m still here and breathing despite being in a high risk group ( double transplant ). Stay safe and heathy fellow cutters

Real world updates from my part of the world:
-1 person has died at a local old folks home as a result of the virus
-1 (not old) person is now on a ventilator, positive tested, outlook not looking good at all, family have had their last chat over video, with doctors in hazmats next to the poor guy. The family have encouraged sharing of their experience.

-Huge groups of teenagers and young adults down the rec, drinking, smoking grass (I don't care about either indulgence) but when challenged about distancing and groups, someone was told to f uck off. I hope I hear an update of the cops being called.

These same cherubs clearly have no comprehension or care, that the people they are putting most at risk, should they be asymptomatic carriers, are their own parents and grandparents, depending on their home circumstances. And yeah, I was 18 once, but if this had been going on, I know I would have listened to advice.